Resonant baffle for yarn texturing air jet

ABSTRACT

The resonant baffle is in the form of a circular disc which is positioned in an enclosed chamber removably supported on the exit end of the air jet. The circular disc has a planar face extending transversely across and spaced from the exit end of the jet. The distance between the exit end of the jet and the planar face of the circular disc may be varied to control the amount of energy from the air which echoes back into the turbulent chamber in the jet and to thereby vary the harmonic frequency and resonance so that the normal turbulence in the chamber is increased. The resonant baffle permits higher operating speed, provides better integration of loops and more uniform loop formation in the textured yarn.

I Unlted States Patent [1 1 1111 3,881,232

Price et al. 1 May 6, 1975 1 RESONANT BAFFLE FOR YARN 3,665,567 5/1972 Clarkson 2s/1.4 TEXTURING AIR JET 3,700,391 10/1972 Pike 57/77.3 3,781,949 1/1974 Breen ct al. 28/I.4 [75] Inventors: Samuel T. Price, Kennedyville, Md.; 3322543 7 1974 Edagawa 3L 2 1 4 Richard J. Polney, New Castle; 3,835,510 9/1974 Koslowski 28/ 1.4 Walter A. Hoffsommer, Ridley Park, both of 1361' Primary ExaminerLouis K. Rimrodt [73] Assignee; Enterprise Machine and Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park Development Corporation, New & Gibson Castle, Del.

22 Filed: June 26, 1974 ABSTRACT [21] APPL 483,239 The resonant baffle is in the form of a circular disc which is positioned in an enclosed chamber removably supported on the exit end of the air jet. The circular [52] US. Cl. 28/l.4 disc has a planar face extending transversely across [5 1] Int. Cl D02g l/l6 and Spaced from the exit end of the jet. The distance [58] Field of Search 28/l.4, 72.12; 57/140, between the exit end f the jet and the planar f f 34 B the circular disc may be varied to control the amount of energy from the air which echoes back into the tur- [56] References C'ted bulent chamber in the jet and to thereby vary the har- UNITED STATES PATENTS monic frequency and resonance so that the normal 2,807,862 10 1957 Griset 2s/72.12 turbulence in the Chamber is increased- The resonant 2,869,967 1/ 1959 Breen 57/140 R baffle permits higher operating speed, provides better 2,924,000 2/1960 Griset et al. 28/ 1.4 integration of loops and more uniform loop formation 2,959,909 11/1960 Sutherland et al... 57 140 R in the textured yam. 2,982,000 5/l96i Gonsalves 28/l.4 3,600,775 8/1971 Sluijters 28/ 1.4 7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures RESONANT BAFFLE FOR YARN TEXTURING AIR .IET

This invention relates generally to yarn texturing air jets and more particularly to a resonant baffle for such air jets to enhance the crimps, curls and loops produced in the filaments of the yarn and to permit faster and more economical operation.

The present invention is concerned particularly with yarn texturing air jets of the type having an elongate housing with a venturi supported in one end and a yarn guiding needle positioned in the other end. The exit end of the needle terminates closely adjacent the inwardly tapering conical surface on the inner or entrance end of the venturi to provide a turbulent texturing chamber or zone between the exit end of the needle and the entrance end of the venturi so that crimps, curls and loops are formed in a random fashion in the filaments of the yarn as pressurized air enters the turbulent chamber, passing downwardly along the inner end of the needle. The textured yarn leaving the exit end of the air jet is usually directed at a right angle to the longitudinal path of travel of the yarn through the air jet.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a resonant baffle for a yarn texturing air jet which permits the yarn to be textured at a substantially higher speed than heretofore possible, provides a more efficient use of the pressurized air, and provides better and more uniform integration of the loops by providing a control for the harmonic frequency of the vibrations of the air in the turbulent texturing chamber of the air jet.

In accordance with the present invention, the resonant baffle is supported for adjustment in an enclosed chamber which is removably supported on the exit end of the air jet. The resonant baffle is in the form of a circular disc having a planar face extending transversely across and spaced from the exit end of the jet so that the planar face is engaged by the pressurized air passing outwardly through the exit end of the jet to cause some of the energy of the pressurized air to echo back into the turbulent chamber of the jet and to thereby vary the normal resonance and increase the turbulence in the turbulent texturing chamber of the air jet. Since the circular disc is supported for adjustment toward and away from the exit of the jet, its position can be varied to control the harmonic frequency of the vibrations which are sent echoing back into the chamber so that the most efficient use of the air pressure can be obtained.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an air texturing jet and illustrating the resonant baffle supported in an enclosed chamber and attached to the exit end of the air jet;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the air jet and resonant baffle illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the central portion of FIG. 2, to illustrate the manner in which the crimps, curls and loops are imparted to the yarn in the turbulent chamber of the air jet and to show the relative position of the cylindrical disc baffle relative to the exit end of the air jet.

The resonant baffle of the present invention will be described in connection with a particular type of yarn texturing air jet which forms the subject matter of copending application Ser. No. 436,532, filed Jan. 25, 1974 and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. However, it is to be understood that the resonant baffle of the present invention may be used with other types of yarn texturing air jets. It has been found that relatively fine denier yarns, of from about 150 to 1,500 denier, can be textured at rates of from two to three times faster than has heretofore been possible without the use of the resonant baffle. While the resonant baffle of the present invention is of some advantage in texturing heavier denier yarns, of from about 2,000 to 4,000 denier, the best results have been achieved with the finer denier yarns mentioned above.

The yarn texturing air jet includes an elongate housing 10 having a central bore 11 extending therethrough and from the entrance end to the exit end of the air jet. A venturi 12 is supported for longitudinal adjustment in the central bore 11 andin the exit end of the housing 10 and is provided with an inwardly tapering conical surface on the inner or entrance end of the venturi to define the exit end of a turbulent chamber. The outer end portion of the venturi 12 is fixed in a venturi cap 14 which is threadably supported on the threaded exit end portion of the housing 10 so that the venturi 12 may be longitudinally adjusted along the central bore 11 by rotation of the venturi cap 14. A lock ring 15 is threadably supported on the threaded exit end of the housing 10 and adjacent the venturi cap 14 so that the venturi 12 may be locked in adjusted position.

A yarn guiding needle 16 is positioned in the central bore 11 of the housing 10 and its outer or entrance end is fixed in an end flange 17 which is secured to the entrance end of the housing 10 for rotational adjustment of the needle 16 within the housing. An axial yarn guiding channel 18 extends throughout the length of the needle 16 for directing multifilament yarn through the needle 16 and through the venturi 12. An inlet pipe 20 is connected to the housing 10 for directing pressurized gas or air into the central bore 11 of the housing 10. One or more passageways 21 are provided in the needle 16 so that the pressurized air is moved along the inner end portion of the needle and into the turbulent chamber or zone provided between the exit end of the needle 16 and the entrance end of the venturi 12.

The multifilament yarn Y enters the entrance end of the air jet and passes through the axial yarn guiding channel 18 in the needle 16, through the turbulent chamber defined between the inner or exit end of the needle 16 and the entrance end of the venturi 12, through the venturi l2 and is then directed at a right angle from the air jet. The yarn Y is wound onto a suitable take-up package, not shown. As is well known, the yarn is usually fed through the air jet with some percentage of over feed, that is, the rate at which the yarn is fed into the air jet is somewhat greater than the rate at which it is withdrawn from the air jet to permit the formation of crimps, loops and curls in the yarn as the turbulent air engages the filaments in the turbulent chamber. While only a single yarn is illustrated in the drawings, as being uniformly textured throughout its length, it is to be understood that so-called core yarns and slub yarns can also be produced on this type of air jet. It has been found that the resonant baffle of the present invention provides advantages when texturing yarn with any of these known processes.

In accordance with the present invention, means is provided for increasing the turbulence of air in the turbulent chamber in the air jet and thereby enhancing the crimps, curls and loops imparted to the yarn in the turbulent chamber. The present invention also provides more uniform loop formations, better integration of loops, and permits high operating speeds so that the yarn may be textured in a more economical manner. To this end, a resonant baffle in the form of a circular disc is provided. The circular disc 30 includes a substantially planar face 31 which is spaced from the exit end of the venturi 12 and extends transversely across the exit end. The circular disc resonant baffle 30 is engaged by the pressurized air passing outwardly through the exit end of the venturi 12 and some of the energy of the pressurized air is echoed back into the turbulence chamber to thereby vary the normal resonance and increase the turbulence in the texturing chamber.

The circular disc 30 is supported for axial adjustment toward and away from the exit end of the venturi l2 and in a cylindrical support housing 32 which is closed at one end and is removably supported on the venturi cap 14 at its other end to provide an enclosed chamber or muffler housing. A threaded stem 33 is fixed at one end to the center of the rear face of the circular disc 30 and threaded means is provided for supporting a medial portion of the threaded stem 33 in the closed end of the circular support housing 32 so that the circular disc 30 may be moved toward and away from the exit end of the venturi 12 by rotation of the threaded stem 33. A manually rotated adjustment wheel 34 is fixed on the outer end of the threaded stem 33 for imparting rotation to the threaded stem 33 and a lock ring 35 is supported on the threaded stem for locking the circular disc 30 in adjusted position.

A yarn passage opening or slot 36 is provided in the upper portion of the cylindrical support housing 32 to permit the textured yarn to pass upwardly from the exit end of the jet. Crimped spring legs 37 (FIGS. 1 and 2) are spaced around the inner end of the cylindrical support housing 32 and are adapted to mate with and resiliently hold the cylindrical support or muffler housing on the venturi cap 14 of the air jet. A pair of air escape openings 40 are provided in the cylindrical support housing 32 and adjacent the exit end of the air jet. These air escape openings 40 are larger than the yarn passage opening or slot 36 and are spaced approximately 120 from each other and from the yarn passage opening or slot 36. Additional air escape openings or slots 42 are provided around the outer end of the muffler housing 32.

Depending upon the size and type of yarn being textured the circular baffle or disc 30 may be axially adjusted so that it is positioned closely adjacent to the exit of the venturi 12 or it may be positioned as far away as one inch from the venturi exit. Once the yarn is running through the air jet, the lock ring 35 is moved back away from the threaded end portion of the cylindrical support housing 32 and the adjustment wheel 34 is rotated until a stability in the thread line of the yarn leaving the air jet is noted. As the resonant baffle 30 is adjusted axially, a noticeable change in noise level and pitch will occur and with a little practice, the operator can recognize the adjusted position of the baffle at which the proper effect is obtained. When the baffle 30 is properly adjusted, a more uniform loop formation, better integration of loops and enhanced crimps, curls and loops are obtained in the filaments of the yarn and the yarn may be textured at two to three times the normal texturing speed for that particular yarn.

While it is not completely understood why the resonant baffle 30 permits higher operating speeds and enhances the crimp, curl and loops in the yarn, it is believed that the distance it is set from the end of the air jet controls the amount of turbulence in the turbulence chamber in the jet. The baffle 30 apparently sends some of the energy of the air pressure echoing back into the texturing chamber of the air jet to set up vibrations of a particular harmonic frequency in the chamber. The adjustment of the baffle 30 permits the optimum frequency to be set up to texture the yarn at a fast rate and to obtain the enhanced crimps, curls and loops in the filaments.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a yarn texturing air jet of the type including an elongate housing having a central bore therethrough, a venturi supported in the central bore and in the exit end of said housing, said venturi defining the exit end of a turbulence chamber, a yarn guiding needle positioned in the central bore of said housing and having an inner end portion positioned closely adjacent said venturi and defining the entrance end of said turbulence chamber, and means for directing pressurized air into the central bore of said housing and along said inner end portion of said needle whereby the air passes through said turbulence chamber and outwardly through said exit orifice of said venturi to impart crimps, curls and loops to the filaments as the yarn passes through said turbulence chamber; the combination therewith of means for increasing the turbulence of air in said turbulence chamber and enhancing the crimps, curls and loops imparted to the yarn in said turbulence chamber, said means comprising a resonant baffle including a substantially planar face extending transversely across and spaced from said exit orifice of said venturi, and means for supporting said resonant baffle for axial adjustment toward and away from said exit orifice of said venturi to vary the spacing therefrom, said resonant baffle being solid and extending perpendicular to said central bore so that the pressurized air passing outwardly through said exit orifice of said venturi is engaged by said baffle to cause some of the energy of the pressurized air to echo back into said turbulence chamber and to thereby vary the normal resonance and increase the turbulence in said chamber.

2. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 1 wherein said resonant baffle comprises a circular disc supported with its center in alignment with said exit orifice of said venturi.

3. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 2 including a threaded stem having one end fixed to said circular disc, and threaded means supporting to medial portion of said threaded stem so that said circular disc may be moved toward and away from said exit orifice of said venturi by rotation of said threaded stem.

4. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 3 including an adjustment wheel fixed on the other end of said threaded stern for imparting rotation to said threaded stem.

5. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 3 including a cylindrical support housing surrounding said circular disc and being removably secured at one end 6 to said jet housing, said cylindrical support housing inhousing and adjacent the exit end of said jet housing. cluding a closed end spaced from said circular disc, and 7 A yam textun'ng i j according to claim 6 wherein said threaded means is centered in said closed wherein said air escape openings are larger than said end of said cylindrical support housing.

6. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 5 in- 5 yam Passage openmg and Yvherem escape cluding a yarn passage opening in said cylindrical sup- Openmgs are Spaced approxlmately 120 from each port housing and adjacent the exit end of said jet housother and from Said y Passage p ing, and air escape openings in said cylindrical support 

1. In a yarn texturing air jet of the type including an elongate housing having a central bore therethrough, a venturi supported in the central bore and in the exit end of said housing, said venturi defining the exit end of a turbulence chamber, a yarn guiding needle positioned in the central bore of said housing and having an inner end portion positioned closely adjacent said venturi and defining the entrance end of said turbulence chamber, and means for directing pressurized air into the central bore of said housing and along said inner end portion of said needle whereby the air passes through said turbulence chamber and outwardly through said exit orifice of said venturi to impart crimps, curls and loops to the filaments as the yarn passes through said turbulence chamber; the combination therewith of means for increasing the turbulence of air in said turbulence chamber and enhancing the crimps, curls and loops imparted to the yarn in said turbulence chamber, said means comprising a resonant baffle including a substantially planar face extending transversely across and spaced from said exit orifice of said venturi, and means for supporting said resonant baffle for axial adjustment toward and away from said exit orifice of said venturi to vary the spacing therefrom, said resonant baffle being solid and extending perpendicular to said central bore so that the pressurized air passing outwardly through said exit orifice of said venturi is engaged by said baffle to cause some of the energy of the pressurized air to echo back into said turbulence chamber and to thereby vary the normal resonance and increase the turbulence in said chamber.
 2. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 1 wherein said resonant baffle comprises a circular disc supported with its center in alignment with said exit orifice of said venturi.
 3. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 2 including a threaded stem having one end fixed to said circular disc, and threaded means supporting to medial portion of said threaded stem so that said circular disc may be moved toward and away from said exit orifice of said venturi by rotation of said threaded stem.
 4. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 3 including an adjustment wheel fixed on the other end of said threaded stem for imparting rotation to said threaded stem.
 5. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 3 including a cylindrical support housing surrounding said circular disc and being removably secured at one end to said jet housing, said cylindrical support housing including a closed end spaced from said circular disc, and wherein said threaded means is centered in said closed end of said cylindrical support housing.
 6. A yarn texturing air jet accordiNg to claim 5 including a yarn passage opening in said cylindrical support housing and adjacent the exit end of said jet housing, and air escape openings in said cylindrical support housing and adjacent the exit end of said jet housing.
 7. A yarn texturing air jet according to claim 6 wherein said air escape openings are larger than said yarn passage opening, and wherein said air escape openings are spaced approximately 120* from each other and from said yarn passage opening. 